Jack VanDyke

B. Jack VanDyke, known by all as Jack, was a man with an amazing inner strength, the kind that filled him like a wellspring, and overflowed to the people around him. He was a man of strong character, of strong conviction, and of faithful devotion. But what Jack had most of all was strength of heart, never-ending love for his family, and complete trust in the Lord.

The year 1924 was a year of changes for our nation. New York 's Computer Tabulating Recording Company was reorganized and forever known as "IBM". Walt Disney released the first cartoon entitled "Alice's Wonderland", and the streets of New York were filled with the first Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. Life for Bernard "Bud" and Dora (Wyma) Van Dyke was also changing. On November 4, a few weeks before the "famous" parade, Dora gave birth to a baby boy they named Jack. Dora passed away just 6 months after Jack's birth, leaving Bud and Jack's three aunts to watch over him. After his mother died, Jack's father remarried and Jack gained three more siblings. However, he spent his childhood with his aunts in a house at the end of Union Street near the Kent Country Club, surrounded by their tender loving care.

As a young boy, he, along with other neighborhood boys, often played football in what is now the parking lot for the country club. Jack attended The East Leonard Elementary School, where, like many young kids, he thoroughly enjoyed recess. But some things must have "stuck" because Jack went on to graduate from Creston High School in 1943. He was a naturally outgoing young man and made many friends during his high school years, friends he still got together with later in life. He would have liked to play football in high school, but the Depression had hit and he spent his after school time on a paper route, to help with the family finances. During all of this, having been raised in the Berean Baptist Church, Jack was supported by his faith in God.

Jack enlisted in the Army Air Force while still in high school, but was given a one-year deferment to finish school. One month after graduation, with the country deep in World War II, he was off to basic training. Fortunately, he was never sent overseas. Instead, Jack was sent to school to become a flight navigation instructor, and served the remainder of his tour in Louisiana, doing just that. He was able to fly all over the country training and teaching the new navigators. He developed a real love for flying and continued flying after being discharged. He was so good that he could navigate the "old fashioned way" - by simply using the stars to guide him.

Appreciating his skills and talents, the Air Force then sent Jack to weather school in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he trained to be a hurricane hunter. When the war ended, the school closed and Jack was discharged with the rank of lieutenant. He remained in the Air Force Reserves, where he eventually earned the rank of Captain.

With the war over, Jack's interests centered on more local things. He had met a young woman in church, named Wilma Ferwerda, and they discovered they had much in common. Knowing they had both found someone special, they were married at the church on November 23, 1950, just a few weeks after Jack's 26th birthday. Their honeymoon was spent exploring the coastline of Florida.

Their first home together was an apartment and they soon began planning for the home they built in North Park. Jack drew up the plans himself, and with the help of his father, built his first home. Along with his home, Jack and Wilma began building a family, and over the next nine years were blessed with three wonderful children - Marijo, Dan and Don.

With a family to support, Jack was given the opportunity to work for J&G Daverman Associates. His first assignment found him in Petosky as a surveyor for power lines. At that time, not many areas north of Cadillac had electricity. He enjoyed his job and stayed with the company the rest of his working career. He soon moved into construction administration, traveling from site to site around the country, keeping a trained eye on projects, ensuring they were completed according to specifications. No short cuts allowed. Jack retired three times, each time returning for projects involving quality control. He would review the drawings and specifications and was even able to do much of the work from home. As for hobbies, work and his family were his favorite hobbies.

As the children grew, Jack was able to continue his love of travel and flying. Many family trips were to Jack's different work sites, often times in the company plane, with Jack at the wheel. Strictly vacation trips were taken to Hawaii and Florida. Even when grandchildren came along, the family continued to travel together, including times spent at Gull Lake Bible and Missionary Conference where Jack helped with many building projects. These were times that Jack remembered and loved the most.

The family later built a home on Pinesboro, where they remained for the next thirty years. This was truly a family home, shared by Jack and Wilma with children, and, best of all, with their grandchildren. Family time was important to them all and every other Sunday they would gather to share Sunday dinner. Two years ago, Jack and Wilma moved to a new home, which was a part of their daughter's home. Now they really were all together.

Throughout his life, Jack was guided by God's teachings. A faithful member of his church, he served on many committees and volunteered for many church activities with a main interest in missions. Jack liked nothing better than sharing his faith with others. He lived it and spoke about it to all he met. Each encounter was an opportunity to talk about his Savior.

Jack Van Dyke lived his life guided by the most honored principals. Love of family, duty to one's country and dedication to Jesus Christ. In this time of his passing, those who knew him can be comforted by the words of his favorite Psalm - Psalm 121.

"I lift up my eyes to the hills - where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip - he who watched over you will not slumber; Indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD watches over you - the LORD is your shade at your right hand; The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon at night. The LORD will keep you from all harm - he will watch over your life; The LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore."

Mr. B. Jack VanDyke, aged 82 of Grand Rapids went to be with his Lord and Savior Tuesday, January 2, 2007 after a brief battle with cancer. Jack is survived by his wife of 56 years, Wilma; his children: Marijo Horling, Dan and Kay VanDyke, Don and Carol VanDyke; his grandchildren: Mark and Melissa Horling, Jennifer Horling, Jodi, Kimberly, Kerri, Jessi, Katie and Ashley VanDyke; his sister, brothers and sisters-in-law: Martha and Jim Douglas, Dave and Ann VanDyke, Phil and Joyce VanDyke, Bob and Margaret Bruggema; his brother-in-law and sisters-in-law: Carl and Virginia Ferwerda, Maxine Ferwerda, and several nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends at the Heritage Life Story Funeral Home, Van Strien - Creston Chapel, 1833 Plainfield N.E. Thursday from 2-4 and 7-9 P.M and on Friday from 10 A.M. until the time of the service. Funeral services will be held at the funeral chapel Friday at 11 A.M. with Rev. Duane Duhan officiating. Interment will follow in Fairplains Cemetery. For those who wish, memorial contributions to Berean Baptist Church Missionary Memorial Fund would be appreciated. To share a memory or picture or sign the online register book please visit Jack's personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com.